Show ContentsCorkar History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Corkar is part of the ancient legacy of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name was taken on by someone who worked as a caulker, a person who waterproofed tubs, barrels, and ships. It is also possibly an occupational name for a person who made and sold a purple dye. However, that origin is in Ireland, and it is unlikely that it is connected to this Northern English name.

Early Origins of the Corkar family

The surname Corkar was first found in Lancashire, now part of the County of Cumbria where the family lived in Barrow-in-Furness, now a large industrial town and seaport community.

While the name has traditionally been understood to be a trade name, there is also a Norman influence as seen by Arnulf de Corcres who was listed in Normandy in the Mang. Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae of 1180-1195. The same reference lists Geoffrey Chorger or Churger in England as listed in the Hundredorum Rolls (Rotuli Hundredorum) c. 1272. 1

Early History of the Corkar family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Corkar research. Another 105 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1297, 1338, 1549, 1584, 1629, 1636, 1651, 1696, 1700, 1705, 1715, 1722 and 1808 are included under the topic Early Corkar History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Corkar Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Corkar include Corker, Coroor, Corcher, Corkar and others.

Early Notables of the Corkar family

Notables of the family at this time include Adam le Corker, a prominent 13th century landholder in Yorkshire; James Corker (1636-1715), Benedictine monk, a native of Yorkshire; Maurus (James) Corker (1636-1715) was an...
Another 33 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Corkar Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Corkar family to Ireland

Some of the Corkar family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 45 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Corkar family

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants: Elizabeth Corker who arrived in Virginia in 1635.



The Corkar Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Sacrificium Dei cor contritum
Motto Translation: The sacrifice of God is a contrite heart.


  1. The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)


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